Local motorcycle club makes donation to fund that benefits family of fallen firefighter

Norwich — Members of the Southeastern Connecticut Renegade Pigs Motorcycle Club, a group of active and retired law enforcement officers and firefighters, recently made a donation to the Ben De Mond Children's Fund.

De Mond, a 33-year-old Norwich firefighter, was killed in a car crash in March 2012 on Interstate 395 by an alleged drunken driver.

Norwich Officer Michael McKinney and club president said members of the group presented an undisclosed amount of money to members of Norwich Fire Department Local 892, who started the fund, on Sept. 4 at fire headquarters at 10 North Thames St.

McKinney said last June club members held their annual pig roast at the Jacques Cartier French Club in Jewett City. A portion of the proceeds raised at the event went to the fund.

McKinney said every year the club likes to make a donation to a charity or a worthy cause. He said contributing to the De Mond Children's Fund was a natural choice.

"We all worked with him," said McKinney. "This hit close to home for us. We were happy to do it."